Velocity weight training devices and method

ABSTRACT

An exercise training device for enabling a user to practice velocity weight training includes a frame, a weight support associated with the frame and a dampening assembly associated with the weight support. The dampening assembly may be configured to retard movement of the weight support through a reverse range of motion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise training devices. Inparticular, the present invention relates to exercise training devicesconfigured to allow a user to perform velocity weight trainingexercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Velocity weight training is a form of exercise founded on the physicsprinciple: Power=Force×Velocity. Most weight lifters concentrate on“force” (e.g. total amount of weight to be lifted), and not muchattention is given to the “velocity” portion of the equation. A velocityweight training regimen enables a weight lifter to use both aspects ofthe equation by, in effect, “throwing” or accelerating the weight awayfrom their body, therefore placing more emphasis on the velocity portionof the above-referenced equation.

Conventional velocity weight training techniques present certainproblems. First, because the weight lifter requires a wide-open spacefor a “thrown” weight to travel and land, velocity weight training isnot practical for most gymnasiums. Secondly, because the weight lifterin the conventional techniques literally throws the weight away fromhis/her body, he/she must gather and “reload” with another weight. Theseefforts dramatically increase time between repetitions and createdifficult facility and equipment demands, therefore hindering thetraining process.

To solve these problems, weight lifting machines have been developed forvelocity weight training. For example, some machines are configured to“catch” the weight through claws associated with the weight support orelectronic cable systems in close proximity to the release point orheight of the repetition. The problem with such machines is that thelifter must rotate the bar carrying the weight or perform some other“release” action in order to literally release the weight support andprepare for another repetition. Again, such efforts hinder the trainingprocess. Moreover such mechanisms are expensive to manufacture and aresubject to failure due to the relative stresses resulting from physicalrelease and “catching” of the weight apparatus.

Accordingly, there is a need for an exercise training device configuredto allow a user to effectively throw weight through a working range ofmotion and to controllably and automatically dampen and direct thereturn of the weight to a convenient starting position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide exercise trainingdevices that address the problems associated with prior velocity weighttraining devices in practical and reliable manners.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordance with theexemplary embodiments of the present invention, an exercise trainingdevice for enabling a user to perform velocity weight training includesa frame, a weight support associated with the frame and a dampeningassembly associated with the weight support. The dampening assembly maybe configured to retard movement of the weight support through a reverserange of motion.

To still further achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordancewith the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an exercisetraining device for enabling a user to perform velocity weight trainingincludes a frame, a variable weight resistance associated with the frameand a dampening assembly associated with the weight resistanceconfigured to retard movement of the weight resistance from the apex ofa working range of motion through a reverse range of motion.

To yet further achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordancewith the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a dampeningassembly for use with exercise training equipment includes a base leverconfigured to be mounted on a stationary surface, a weight leverconfigured to be secured to a weight support and a dampener operablyassociated with the base lever and weight lever. The dampener may beconfigured to retard movement of the weight support through a reverserange of motion.

Still other embodiments, combinations, advantages and objects of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following descriptions and illustrations wherein there are shown anddescribed alternative exemplary embodiments of this invention forillustration purposes. As will be realized, the invention is capable ofother different aspects, objects and embodiments all without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, objects, anddescription should be regarded as illustrative and exemplary in natureonly and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the samewill be better understood from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a velocity training device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dampening assembly of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front view of the exercise training device of FIG. 1illustrating exemplary ranges of motion in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers indicate thesame or corresponding elements throughout the views, FIG. 1 illustratesan exemplary embodiment of an exercise training device 10 including aframe 20, a variable weight resistance or weight support 40 and adampening assembly 60. The frame 20 and weight support 40 of exercisetraining device 10 may comprise any variety of variable weightresistance setups, such as conventional weight lifting equipment, forexample, comprising a Smith machine, bench press, shoulder press,lateral pull down, rowing, etc. Thus, although the present invention hasbeen described for use with a Smith machine, the exercise trainingdevice 10 and associated dampening assembly 60 according to the presentinvention are not limited to a Smith machine and could comprise anymachine or combination of machine, such as, for example, a bench press,shoulder press, leg press, lateral pulldown, rowing, or any otherleverage or plate loaded equipment. Variable weight resistance couldsimilarly be provided with weight stacks in the form of one or moreplates which can be engaged, along with an appropriate pulley systemconnected to user handles or a bar, hydraulic or pneumatic resistancearrangements or the like.

As illustrated, a weight support 40 may be associated with frame 20. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, frame 20 may comprise a Smith machine assemblycomprising left and right vertical posts 22 a-c and 24 a-c,respectively, supported on horizontal surface 26. Vertical posts 22 a-cand 24 a-c may be secured at top and bottom via beam assemblies 28 and30, respectively. In such an example, a weight bar 44 may be freelymoveable between left and right vertical posts 22 a-b and 24 a-b andrest on arms 50. Weight bar 44 may support any amount of plated weight46 or load. It should be understood, however, that in another embodimentwherein exercise training device comprises something other than a Smithmachine, weight support 40 may comprise any apparatus configured tosupport any physical weight, including weight plates and/or an apparatusconfigured to apply resistance such as plastic or rubber rods commonlyused with a BOWFLEX® machines or other machine incorporating rubberbands. In FIG. 1, weight bar 44 may comprise a standard 45 lb. bar madefrom solid steel, chrome, and/or aluminum.

As will be discussed later herein, and as shown in FIG. 3, exercisetraining device 10 may comprises a variety of ranges of motion to enableperformance of velocity weight training. For example, training devicemay comprise a working range of motion 90 including a lift range ofmotion 92 and a throw range of motion 94. At the top of the throw range94 (or working range 90) is the apex 96. Training device 10 may alsocomprise a reverse range of motion 98 from the apex 96 to a startingpoint 50. As will be discussed, dampening assembly 60 may be configuredto limit, retard and/or dampen weight support through the reverse rangeof motion 98.

As discussed, the exercise training device 10 is illustrated ascomprising a dampening assembly 60 interposed between the weight support40 and a base mounted on a horizontal surface 26. As discussed laterherein, while dampening assembly 60 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as beinginterposed between the weight support 40 and a horizontal surface 26,dampening assembly 60 may similarly be interposed between weight support40 and frame 20 or any other location so as to retard and control thereverse range of motion of the weight support 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, dampening assembly 60 comprises avelocity assembly 62 and a control arrangement or dampener 80. Thevelocity assembly 62 may include, for example, a weight lever 64 havingfirst and second ends 65 and 66, respectively, and a base lever 68similarly having first and second ends 69 and 70, respectively. Firstends 65 and 69 of weight lever 64 and base lever 68 may be pivotallymounted to or associated with one another at point C. As discussed laterherein, first end 65 of weight lever 64 may further comprise plate 59for pivotal mounting of piston arm 84 of dampener 80. Second end 66 ofweight lever 64 may comprise a collar 55 with ball bearings, a bushingarrangement or similar bearing setup, and can be configured to pivotallyreceive a portion of the variable weight resistance such as weight bar44. In addition, second end 70 of base lever 68 may be pivotally mountedto or associated with stationary base 72 at point D for support onexercise surface 26.

In this example, dampener 80 is similarly illustrated as being pivotallysecured or associated with between plate 59 of weight lever 64 andextension 67 of base lever 68 such as at points E and F, respectively.As seen best in FIGS. 1 and 3, a dampening assembly 60 can be secured toboth sides of the exercise training device for enhanced stability,however, it is possible to have but one dampening assembly 80 secured toone side of training device 10. In addition, it should be understoodthat dampening assembly 60 may be similarly secured between base lever68 and weight lever 64 such as at any location such as at or aroundangle α, or simply attached between first end 65 of weight lever 64 andbase 72 or surface 26.

In one embodiment, dampener 80 comprises a hydraulic speed controllersuch as those produced by Ace Controls, Inc and/or Enidine, Inc. Sizesand models may vary depending on the relative weight resistance rangesand the exercise training device. In such an arrangement, the dampener80 comprises an outer body 82 and a piston rod 84. Such hydraulic speedcontrols are self-contained, sealed units designed for precise controlof speed in both directions of travel. In the Ace device contemplated inthis example, travel speed can be adjusted independently in eachdirection (e.g. compression speed and extension speed) with compressionspeed knob 88 and piston speed knob 89. Accordingly, as applied to thepresent invention, compression speed may be freely fluid (e.g., as willbe described in further detail below, when a weight lifter acceleratesweight bar 44 through a working range of motion), whereas extensionspeed may be hindered (e.g., when weight lifter effectively releasesweight bar 44 for the “throw” portion of the exercise, and weight bar 44thereafter returns through a reverse range of motion).

While the present invention has thus far been described with the use ofa velocity assembly 62 and a dampener 80 comprising a dual velocityhydraulic control, it should be understood that dampening assembly 60may comprise any assembly of mechanisms configured to dampen andappropriately control the weight resistance during a reverse range ofmotion. For example, dampening assembly may simply comprise dampener 80described above configured to be secured to a frame and weight supportof any conventional weight training device, including, but not limitedto, leverage or plate loaded equipment. In such embodiment (not shown),plate 59 and extension 67 may be substituted for weight and base levers64 and 68, respectively. More specifically, plate 59 may be secured to aweight support, while extension 67 may be secured to a horizontal orvertical surface and/or frame of a training device with dampener 80interposed between. In another embodiment, weight bar 44 may comprise acollet system configured to be telescopingly secured to vertical posts22 b and 24 b. In such a system (not shown), vertical posts 22 b and 24b may be slightly conical in shape with the narrowest end upward. Weightmay be freely moveable through a working range of motion (e.g. as weighttravels up vertical posts 22 b and 24 b) and hindered through thereverse range of motion starting at the apex of the working range (e.g.as weight travels down vertical posts 22 b and 24 b, collet systemengages conical vertical posts 22 b and 24 b to dampen the speed oftravel). Collet system may also be used with dampening assembly asillustrated in FIG. 2 in which collet system could be configured toarrest weight bar at the apex of the throw range of motion and allowdampening assembly to lower weight bar after collet is manuallydisengaged. In yet another embodiment, dampening assembly 60 maycomprise one or more tension shocks, pneumatic shocks, compressionshocks and/or spring assemblies connected between a weight support and astationary surface. It should be understood that all of these systemscan be applied to a multitude of conventional exercise training devices.So as to selectively retard and control movement of the variable weightresistance through a reverse range of motion.

Also, it should be further understood that dampening assembly 60 can beretrofit onto conventional exercise training devices to effectivelyconvert the conventional training device into a velocity trainingdevice. For example, if frame 20 and weight support 40 were conventionalexercise equipment existing in a gymnasium, such as a Smith machine, adampening assembly 60 may be secured to a base 72 and to the weightsupport 40 on both sides of the exercise training device 10 so that thereverse range of motion (described below) may be hindered or retarded.If desired, the dual velocity control dampener described above allows aretrofitted velocity strength training device to act as a conventionaldevice by simply adjusting the extension speed (discussed above) andallowing the working range of motion and the reverse range of motion tobe free flowing. Retrofit of the dampening assembly may not work withcertain conventional weight training devices that only provide a path oftravel for normal repetitions (e.g. no throw range discussed belowbecause stop members preventing the weight support from traveling past anormal repetition range of motion). In such circumstances, frames may becustom designed to provide desired ranges of motion and to work with thedampening assemblies contemplated by the present invention. However, aspreviously discussed, it is contemplated that dampening assembly 60 orvariations thereof may be retrofit onto any conventional exerciseequipment such as, for example, a bench press, shoulder press, legpress, lateral pulldown, rowing, or any other leverage or plate loadedmachine. In addition, it is contemplated that a concealment assembly(not shown) may be utilized with the dampening assembly to shield movingparts from users.

As previously suggested, in order to provide a functioning velocityweight training exercise device, certain ranges of exercise motion arecontemplated by the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, oneaspect of the present invention is to provide an exercise trainingdevice having a working range of motion to allow a weight lifter toeffectively accelerate or “throw” the weight away from their body. Moreparticularly, in order to properly utilize velocity weight training, aweight lifter must accelerate and effectively throw weight from his/herbody. Thus, the exercise training device must provide a range of motion(path of travel) for a normal repetition and a range of motion (path oftravel) for the weight to continue once the lifter accelerates theweight and effectively releases the weight at the end of the repetition.As will be understood, due to the relative weight resistance, there maybe no physical separation at all between the user's hand and the weightresistance or weight support during the “throw” range of motion. Moreparticularly, only a difference in effective weight resistance (e.g. asopposed to complete release of the weight) might be experienced as aresult of the acceleration of the weight and the end of the user'smuscle extension.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the velocity weight training device of thepresent invention is configured to provide for a working range of motion90. More particularly, the working range of motion 90 is comprised of alift range of motion 92 and a throw range of motion 94. The lift range92 includes the distance from the starting point 52 (where the lifterbegins his/her repetition) to the full extension of the weight support40 with associated weight 40 for a particular user (e.g. a repetition).It should be understood that the starting point and the full extensionof the user may vary according to the type of exercise and the userlifting the weight, as well as the muscle extension of the user, and theuser's form. For example, the starting point 52 for the deviceillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 is where arms or rest pins 50 are located.In another embodiment, rest pin 50 may be selectively positioned at anylocation along vertical posts 22 a-b and 24 a-b, and therefore, startingpoint 52 may move accordingly. Moreover, it is possible that rest pinmay be removed so that start point is surface 26. In addition, asmentioned the extension of the user may have an effect on the lift range92 because taller user's may have a higher extension that a shorteruser, and thus, the lift range 92 may be extended. The user's stature,strength, preferred stance and/or preferred lift range can also effectthe throw range as discussed below.

The throw range 94 includes the distance from the location where theweight has been accelerated by the user to effectively leave the user'sbody and travels to the apex 96 of travel. “User's Body” is used hereinbecause as discussed above, exercise training devices of the presentinvention are not limited to the exercise training device illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, but rather may comprise bench press, leg press, etc.Thus, weight could effectively leave a user's hand, leg, foot, back,shoulder, head, elbow, etc. In the illustrated example, throw range 94may commence at the point where the weight bar 44 pulls away from theuser's shoulders because of the upward force and explosion “through”(e.g. from beginning to the end) the repetition. As mentioned, dependingon the user's strength, weight 46 associated with weight support 40,repetition number, and relative acceleration, weight bar 44 may neverfully disengage the user's shoulders (e.g., the user may not be fresh orstrong enough to accelerate weight completely from their body).Accordingly, the throw range 94 in such example may be very minimal. Infact, where the user is fatigued, apex 96 of throw range 94 may be thepoint where the weight is no longer traveling upward/outward or througha working range of motion. Should the same user decrease the weight, itis contemplated that the user will move through the working range withsuch force so as to thrust the weight bar 44 further and/or completelyaway from the shoulders. In this example, the weight would continueupward until gravity stops the upward motion. The furthest point oftravel is the apex 96 of the throw range of motion, or more broadly, thelimit of the working range of motion. Of course, the apex 96 level mayvary based on the user's strength, the amount of weight and/or therepetition number in the set.

Continuing with the example of FIG. 3, once the weight bar 44 reachesthe apex 96 as described above, the weight bar 44 pauses onlyinstantaneously before it enters a reverse range of motion 98. Thereverse range of motion comprises a distance between the apex 96 of thethrow range 94 (or working range), through the lift range 92, to thestarting point 52. It is one aspect of the present invention for themovement of the weight support 40 (weight bar 44 in FIGS. 1 and 3) to behindered, dampened and/or retarded through the reverse range of motion98. In this way, a user can force weight through the working range 92and the throw range 94 and allow the weight to passively return to thestarting point in a hindered manner so as to prepare for the nextthrusting repetition.

For use of the exemplary velocity exercise training device of FIGS. 1-3,the user positions himself/herself in the exercise training device 10beneath weight bar 44 in preparation to perform squat exercises. As theuser lifts and accelerates weight bar 44 and associated weight 46upwardly, the base lever 68 rotates pivotally about base 72 and weightlever 64. The weight lever 64 in this example also rotates pivotallyabout weight bar 44. This action causes body 82 and piston 84 ofdampener 80 to rotate about extension 67 of base lever 68 and plate 59of weight lever 64, respectively. Piston 84 of dampener 80 generallyfreely compresses through the working range of motion 92 and the throwrange of motion 94 without damping or adding any significant resistance.At the end of the working range 92, the weight bar 44 effectively (ifnot partially or completely) disengages user's shoulders into the throwrange 94 (e.g. the apex). Upon downward motion of the weight bar 44 (thereverse range of motion 98), dampening assembly 60 retards the descentof weight bar 44 with associated weight 46. More particularly, thepiston 84 of the dampener 80 is extended out of dampener body 82 at apredetermined rate based on position of extension knob 89. If desired,the user may additionally aid in supporting the weight bar 44 throughits reverse range, may stop the reverse range and explode throughanother repetition, and/or may exit through the other side of theexercise training device 10 and allow the dampening assembly 60 to guideor support the weight bar 44 to its starting point 52. In this way, thedampening assembly 60 retards and/or controls the catching of the weightsupport adjacent its apex, then returns the associated weight andsupport of the device to a starting position automatically andcontrollably. By controllably, it is meant that the retardation ordampening can be adjusted to allow for negative exercises or unattendedreturn of the device, support and weight to a home or start position.

It should be understood that the pivotal connections (C, D, E and F)discussed above allow a user to lift weight in a free weight fashionwithout obstruction in the path of travel or range of motion. However,in another embodiment, it is possible to fixedly secure weight lever 64to weight bar 44 or any other weight support 40 so as to provide apredetermined, guided path of travel for the weight support. Such may bedesired with use of nautilus type machines (e.g. weight using cables andpulleys and/or predetermined guided movements), or other selectorizedweight stack machines.

The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Forexample, the velocity training device in accordance with the presentinvention may utilize any number of assemblies to dampen weight througha reverse range of motion. Accordingly, while some of the alternativeembodiments of the dampening assembly and exercise training devices havebeen discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent orrelatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art.Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives,modifications and variations that have been discussed herein, and othersthat fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims.

1. An exercise training device for velocity weight training, saidtraining device comprising: a frame; a weight support associated withsaid frame; a dampening assembly associated with said weight support,said dampening assembly configured to selectively retard movement ofsaid weight support through a reverse range of motion.
 2. The exercisetraining device of claim 1, further comprising a base and wherein saiddampening assembly is secured to said base.
 3. The exercise trainingdevice of claim 2, wherein said dampening assembly is interposed betweensaid base and said weight support.
 4. The exercise training device ofclaim 1, wherein said dampening assembly is interposed between saidframe and said weight support.
 5. The exercise training device of claim1, wherein said dampening assembly comprises a velocity assembly and adampener.
 6. The exercise training device of claim 5, wherein saidvelocity assembly comprises a base lever pivotally associated with aweight lever.
 7. The exercise training device of claim 6, wherein saidbase lever is pivotally associated with a base and said weight lever isassociated with said weight support.
 8. The exercise training device ofclaim 7, wherein said weight lever is pivotally associated with saidweight support.
 9. The exercise training device of claim 5, wherein saiddampener comprises a hydraulic speed controller.
 10. The exercisetraining device of claim 1, wherein said reverse range of motioncomprises substantially the full distance between an apex of a workingrange and a starting point.
 11. The exercise training device of claim 1,wherein said reverse range of motion comprises a lift range of motion.12. An exercise training device for velocity weight training, saidtraining device comprising: a frame; a variable weight resistanceassociated with said frame; a dampening assembly associated with saidweight resistance, said dampening assembly configured to retard movementof said weight resistance from the apex of a working range of motionthrough a reverse range of motion.
 13. The exercise training device ofclaim 12, wherein said working range comprises a lift range of motionand a throw range of motion.
 14. The exercise training device of claim13, wherein said lift range comprises a distance between a startingpoint and a point that said weight resistance effectively enters saidthrow range of motion.
 15. The exercise training device of claim 13,wherein said throw range comprises a distance between a point that saidweight resistance effectively enters said throw range of motion and anapex of said throw range.
 16. The exercise training device of claim 12,wherein said reverse range of motion comprises the distance between anapex of a working range and a starting point.
 17. The exercise trainingdevice of claim 12, wherein said reverse range of motion comprises alift range of motion.
 18. The exercise training device of claim 12,further comprising a base and wherein said dampening assembly is securedto said base.
 19. The exercise training device of claim 18, wherein saiddampening assembly is interposed between said base and said weightresistance.
 20. The exercise training device of claim 12, wherein saiddampening assembly is interposed between said frame and said weightresistance.
 21. A dampening assembly for use with exercise trainingequipment comprising: a base lever configured to be supported on astationary surface; a weight lever configured to be secured to a weightsupport; and a dampener operably associated with said base lever andsaid weight lever, said dampener configured to retard movement of saidweight support through a reverse range of motion.
 22. The exercisetraining device of claim 21, wherein said base lever is pivotallyassociated with a weight lever.
 23. The exercise training device ofclaim 21, wherein said base lever is pivotally associated with a baseand said weight lever is associated with said weight support.
 24. Theexercise training device of claim 23, wherein said weight lever ispivotally associated with said weight support.
 25. The exercise trainingdevice of claim 21, wherein said dampener comprises a hydraulic speedcontroller.
 26. The exercise training device of claim 21, wherein saidreverse range of motion comprises the distance between an apex of aworking range and a starting point.
 27. The exercise training device ofclaim 21, wherein said reverse range of motion comprises the distancebetween an apex of a throw range and a starting point.
 28. The exercisetraining device of claim 21, wherein said reverse range of motioncomprises a lift range of motion.
 29. A method for facilitating velocityweight training, comprising the steps of: providing an exercise trainingdevice having a base, a variable weight resistance configured to allowtraining movement relative to said base through a working range ofmotion, and a dampening assembly interposed between said weightresistance and said base, said a dampening assembly associated with saidweight resistance, said dampening assembly configured to selectivelyretard movement of said weight resistance through a reverse range ofmotion; setting a predetermined effective load for a particular user andexercise; moving the weight resistance through a working range includinga throw range of motion; and automatically dampening said weightresistance for controlled return from an apex of said throw range ofmotion to a starting position.